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We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs February 1 & 2 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

NSO to Launch India’s First-Ever NHIS & ASISSE from April 2026In January 2026, the National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI), announced plans to conduct India’s first-ever National Household Income Survey (NHIS) and Annual Survey of Incorporated Service Sector Enterprises (ASISSE), both scheduled to run for one year starting April 2026.
Key Details:
Announcement: The announcement was made during the two-day All-India Workshop of Trainers (AIWOT) for NHIS and ASISSE, held from January 28 to 29 , 2026 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).
NHIS: It collects detailed data on household income, living conditions and income distribution, enabling comparisons across regions and households and supporting policy formulation and assessment of household well-being.
ASISSE: It covers the incorporated services sector using Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) data and provides state- and industry-level estimates of Gross Value Added (GVA), capital formation, employment and emoluments.
Digital Survey: Both NHIS and ASISSE will be conducted digitally using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI).
Coverage: The surveys will cover all of India, except the hard-to-access villages in the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands.

IR Launched 1st-ever LNG diesel dual-fuel DEMU Train in Ahmedabad 
Indian Railways (IR) successfully launched India’s 1st-ever Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-diesel dual-fuel Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train at Sabarmati in Ahmedabad, Gujarat in January 2026.
Key Features:
Dual-fuel System: The Integrated Coaching Depot (ICD), Sabarmati has successfully modified two 1,400 Horse Power (HP) DEMU  Driving Power Cars (DPCs) equipped with 2,200-liter (lt) LNG tank to operate on a dual-fuel system, enabling up to 40% diesel substitution with LNG.
Operational Efficiency: Both modified units have successfully completed more than 2,000 kilometers (kms) of field trials.

• After the successful trials, the train is now capable of covering a maximum 222 km of daily operation on a single  full refill.

Economic Significance: Trial-based estimates indicate an annual savings of nearly Rs 11.9 lakh per DPC and about Rs 23.9 lakh annually for an 8-coach DEMU train.
Environment Impact: The use of LNG will help in reducing the levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), and particulate matter.

Union MoS Jitendra Singh Inaugurates Rs 32 Crore CSIR-NIO Shore-Based Regional Centre in Visakhapatnam, AP
In January 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge, IC) Dr Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), inaugurated the Shore-Based Laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR–NIO) Regional Centre at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP).
About CSIR–NIO Regional Centre:
Infrastructure: The Rs 32 crore facility with a built-up area of 4,550 square metres (sq m) was constructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) at Yendada Village, Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam.
Research: The centre focuses on marine geological and geophysical surveys of the Eastern Continental Margin of India (ECMI), including bathymetry mapping, tectonic studies, deep-sea exploration, and monsoon research in the Bay of Bengal.
Energy: The facility strengthens national energy security by supporting offshore oil, gas, hydrocarbon, and seabed mineral exploration.
Community: The centre contributes to the Blue Economy by supporting fisheries, coastal resilience, skill development, seaweed cultivation, and harmful algal bloom forecasting.

MoMA Launches two Additional Modules on UMEED Platform
In January 2026, the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) launched two additional modules named ‘Survey Module’ and ‘Waqf Property Lease Management Module’ on Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) central portal.

• These two new modules were formally launched by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, MoMA in New Delhi, Delhi.

About New Modules:
Survey Module: This new module offers a comprehensive digital framework that helps in recording, managing, and updating information related to the survey of Waqf properties on the central portal.
Waqf Property Lease Module: It facilitates end-to-end management of leasing-related information of Waqf properties via the portal, enabling systematic recording and monitoring of key details like: lease information, lease period, lease amount and other relevant information in a structured and transparent manner.
UMEED Central Portal: The platform, launched in June 2025, serves as a centralized digital system under the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Act, 1995, enabling real-time uploading, verification, and monitoring of Waqf properties.

Odisha to Establish a National UAV Test & Innovation Corridor at Rangeilunda Airport
In January 2026, Government of Odisha partnered with BonV Aero at Wings India 2026 (Hyderabad – Telangana) to establish India’s first National UAV Test & Innovation Corridor at Rangeilunda Airport (Ganjam district), repurposing the operational commercial airport for live drone testing in dynamic airspace up to 1,000 metres.
Key Features of the Corridor: 
Drone Testing: Drones will operate in low-altitude airspace up to about 1,000 metre (m), enabling realistic testing conditions. It includes beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, swarm drone trials, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based navigation, and autonomous airspace management scenarios.
Phased Development: The project is being developed in phases under the Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network (B-MAAN) scheme, Government of India (GoI)’s initiative to grow regional aviation and new tech infrastructure.
Significance: It will be India’s first operational commercial airport repurposed as a live UAV test and development facility, enabling drones to fly and be tested in real and dynamic airspace.

BANKING & FINANCE

India Partners with World Bank on USD 8-10 Billion-a-year Plan to Boost Jobs and GrowthIn January 2026, the Government of India (GoI) and the World Bank Group (WBG) announced a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF), aimed at accelerating job creation across both urban and rural areas of the country with USD 8-10 billion in annual financing over the next 5 years.

• This newly announced plan took effect  from the start of January 2026, fully aligns with India’s “Viksit Bharat” vision which aims to make the country a developed nation by 2047.

Key Details:
Key Pillars: The WBG’s global jobs strategy is structured around 3 main pillars i.e. investing in critical infrastructure, both physical and human; strengthening a business-friendly environment via predictable laws, rules and regulations; and using risk-management tools to help private investment scale.

SBI Strengthened its Trade Finance and Global Banking Operations, with the launch of GTFC in Kolkata
In January 2026, India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), State Bank of India (SBI) , bolstered its trade finance and global banking operations with the launch of  a Global Trade Finance Centre (GTFC) in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB).

• In July 2025, the bank launched two specialized GTFCs i.e. in Kolkata and Hyderabad (Telangana) on the occasion of 70th anniversary of SBI.

About SBI’s GTFC:
Centralized System: It is designed to streamline Inland trade and the processing of Import and Export transactions.
Significance: It also supports all SBI branches across eastern and northern parts of the country, facilitating faster turnaround times, robust compliance oversight and a significantly improved customer experience for businesses involved in domestic and cross-border trade.
Technology-driven: GTFC uses the advanced technologies such as: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Blockchain, among others, thereby transitioning from traditional paper-based systems.
Operational Details:
Staff Strength: 277 total (161 SBI employees, 105 outsourced, 11 temporary)
Local Hiring: 61% workforce (169 employees) from West Bengal
Economic Contribution: Rs.1.40 crore Goods and Services(GST) to West Bengal since 2024

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

IOCL Signs LoI with Akasa Air to Jointly Explore SAF Supply
In January 2026, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Akasa Air to jointly explore the future supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) during the Wings India 2026 airshow in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Key Details of LoI:
Framework : The LoI establishes a framework for collaboration to assess how IOCL might supply SAF to Akasa Air in the future.
Role of Entities: IOCL and Akasa Air will evaluate potential SAF supply volumes, delivery locations, timelines, and approved sustainable feedstocks and production pathways that meet global standards.
SAF: It is a lower-carbon alternative to conventional jet fuel that can significantly reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from aviation.
About IOCL: IOCL, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), was established in 2019 in New Delhi, Delhi, under the MoPNG. It is India’s largest integrated oil & gas company, operating across refining, pipelines, fuel marketing, petrochemicals, and clean energy initiatives.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Patna Bird Sanctuary & Chhari-Dhand Designated as India’s 97th & 98th Ramsar SitesOn January 30, 2026, Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), announced that Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch, Gujarat were designated as Ramsar wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

• With this move, the total Ramsar sites in India have grown to 98.

About Newly Added Ramsar Sites:
Patna Bird Sanctuary: The Patna Bird Sanctuary, spanning an area of approximately 109 hectares, is located at Patna village in Etah. It is located on the banks of the Upper Ganga Canal, which provides water to the wetland.

• It is a key habitat for migratory and resident birds, especially during the winter season. It supports diverse avian species, including waterfowl such as ducks, geese; waders and shorebirds; and Kingfishers, herons, egrets, and other wetland birds.

Chhari-Dhand: Chhari-Dhand is situated in the Kutch district, part of the Great Rann of Kutch. It is a seasonal wetland, forming a shallow water body during the monsoon and drying out in the summer.

• It is surrounded by salt flats and desert-like terrain, making it a unique ecosystem in western India.

Ramsar Sites in India: 
First Sites: Chilka Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (NP) (Rajasthan) were designated as India’s first Ramsar sites in 1981.
Top Ramsar Sites: Tamil Nadu (TN) with 20 Ramsar Sites, followed by UP with 11 sites and Odisha with 6 sites, are the top 3 states in India by number of Ramsar sites.
Largest Ramsar Site: The Sundarban Wetland in West Bengal (WB) is the largest Ramsar Site in India, covering an area of 4,230 Km².
Smallest Ramsar Site: Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh (HP) is the smallest Ramsar Site in India, with an area of just 0.2 km².

SAIL Earns ‘Great Place to Work’ Certification for Third Consecutive Time
In January 2026, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and India’s largest steelmaker, earned the ‘Great Place to Work’ certification for the period February 2026 to February 2027.

• This marks the third consecutive year that SAIL has received the certification, following a company-wide assessment conducted by the Great Place To Work Institute, India.

About SAIL’s Recognition:
Commitment: This recognition reflects SAIL’s commitment to nurture a workplace culture that is contemporary, agile and deeply aligned with the professional and personal growth of its people.
Assessment : SAIL achieved a notable increase in its TRUST INDEX© score, indicating a high level of positive feedback from employees during the evaluation.
Performance Transparency: SAIL continues to introduce progressive Human Resource (HR) initiatives, with SAIL DARPAN promoting a transparent, performance-driven system that ensures objective evaluation, aligned target setting, and empowers employees to take ownership of their growth.

OBITUARY

Former CBSE Chairman and Padma Shri Father Thomas V.Kunnunkal Passed AwayIn January 2026, Father Thomas V. Kunnunkal, a Jesuit priest and one of the most prominent personalities in India’s post-Independence education system, passed away at the age of 99 in New Delhi, Delhi. He was born on July 03, 1926 in Alappuzha, Kerala.

• He was awarded with the Padma Shri, India’s 4th highest civilian honor, in 1974 in the field of ‘literature and education’.

About Father Thomas V Kunnunkal :
CBSE Chairman: Father Kunnunkal widely known as Father Stany, served as Chairman of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) from 1980 to 1987.
Other Key Roles: He played a pivotal role in founding the National Open School in November 1989 as an autonomous organisation in pursuance of the National Education Policy (NEP 1986) by the Ministry of Education (MoE).
Books: In 2005, he published a book titled ‘The Role of Teachers on National Regeneration’.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Overview of India Energy Week 2026 Held in Goa from January 27–30, 2026The 4th edition of India Energy Week (IEW 2026) was held at the Advanced Training Institute (ATI) of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) in Goa, from 27-30 January 2026, hosted under the patronage of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).
About India Energy Week 2026:
Organization: The event was jointly organized by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) and dmg events under the patronage of the MoPNG.
Theme: The central theme of the event was “Energizing Growth, Securing Economies, and Enriching Lives.”
Key Focus: The four-day summit featured both a Strategic Conference and a Technical Conference, enabling high-level discussions on energy collaboration, energy transition and resilience, net-zero strategies, hydrogen, Renewable Energy(RE), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and City Gas Distribution (CGD).
Agreement Signed: India and Canada signed a joint statement to strengthen strategic cooperation in the energy sector during India Energy Week 2026, held in Goa.

• GAIL (India) Limited and Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Limited (MOL), Tokyo, entered into a long-term charter agreement for an LNG carrier named “GAIL BHUWAN” strengthening India’s LNG shipping and maritime energy infrastructure, during the India Energy Week 2026 in Goa.
• Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at India Energy Week 2026 in Goa to explore collaboration in oil and gas exploration.
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Tata Motors signed a MoU at India Energy Week 2026 to jointly develop India’s largest Mega Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging and Engagement Hubs.

Conclusion: The IEW 2026 concluded with an awards ceremony celebrating startups, industry leaders, and academic institutions for their contributions to clean energy, upstream technology, and sustainable exploration.

World Leprosy Day 2026 – January 25World Leprosy Day (WLD) is observed globally on the last Sunday of January to raise awareness about leprosy and address stigma and discrimination.

• In 2026, WLD was observed on 25 January, marking its 73rd observance, while in 2027, WLD will be observed on 31 January.
• In India, National Leprosy Day  is observed annually on 30 January, coinciding with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Theme:
2026 Theme: “Leprosy is curable, the real challenge is stigma.”
About Leprosy:
Hansen’s Disease:  Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease and named after Norwegian physician Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, is caused by Mycobacterium bacteria and mainly affects the skin, peripheral nerves, eyes, and upper respiratory tract.
Initiatives for Leprosy in India: Under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW) has reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating leprosy and the stigma associated with it.

•  The programme provides free diagnosis and MDT at government health facilities.
• The NLEP has set an ambitious goal of ‘Zero Transmission, Zero Leprosy’ by 2027.

About World Health Organization (WHO):
Director-General (DG)-Dr.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
Established- April 7, 1948

International Zebra Day 2026 – January 31
International Zebra Day is observed annually across the globe on 31 January to raise awareness about zebra conservation, their ecological importance, and the threats faced by different zebra species due to habitat loss and human activities.
About Zebra Da:
Species: Three species: Grévy’s (Endangered), Mountain (Vulnerable), and Plains (Near Threatened), with multiple subspecies.
Traits: Unique stripes aid predator confusion, thermoregulation, insect protection, and individual identification (ID).
Habitat: Zebras mainly inhabit grasslands, semi‑deserts, and hilly regions across Kenya, Ethiopia, Namibia, Angola, and South Africa.
Importance: Zebras maintain grassland balance, support predator–prey dynamics, and indicate ecosystem health.

STATE NEWS

Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Launches ‘Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana’ to Upgrade Rural Infrastructure
In January 2026, Bhupendra Patel, the Chief Minister(CM) of Gujarat, launched the state-wide ‘Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana(MGY)’ from Bhadran in Anand district, Gujarat, with the objective of providing urban-equivalent facilities in rural areas.
About Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana(MGY):
Implementation Strategy: In the first phase of this mission, 114 villages that serve as Taluka headquarters(HQ) will be equipped with modern amenities, including high-quality road networks, underground drainage, solar street lights, and digital electronic Gram(e-Gram) services.
Grassroots Infrastructure: During the event, CM Bhupendra Patel, laid the foundation stone for 2,666 Gram Panchayat Ghar-cum-Talati Awas buildings worth Rs.663 crore.
Expansion: The initiative will be expanded to all villages with populations above 10,000, a move aimed at accelerating inclusive development by bringing urban-level amenities and governance to rural areas.

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